Roll Call Tribute

Ulonda McCraw Rogers
October 25, 1959 ~ March 9, 2021

Ulonda McCraw Rogers was born October 25, 1959 in Dallas, Texas, to parents Doris Evans McCraw and her husband, J.R. McCraw, the first of four daughters. She grew up in Richardson, Texas, and graduated from LV Berkner High School. In high school she enjoyed science studies and was in the choir. Ulonda was very involved with the choir at First Presbyterian Church of Richardson where she sang in The Joyful Noise youth choir and was involved in the youth ministry. She went on to attend Texas A&M University where she received her Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering. She was also involved with the Wesley Foundation.

At A&M, Ulonda would meet David Rogers, a drum major in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, who was studying Mechanical Engineering. They married before her senior year. After graduation, they made their home in Longview.

They moved the family back to College Station in 1985 with three of the children, twins Deborah and Jessica and son Paul; daughter Laura was born in 1994. The family joined First Presbyterian Church in Bryan, where she was active in church choir and ultimately she would direct the FPC Handbell Choir among many other positions of service and contribution there. She enjoyed family time at the lake water skiing while growing up, and later enjoyed time with her own family at the lake.

An early career job was as soil analyst for Inter-Mountain Laboratories in College Station, but it would be teaching where Ulonda had the greatest impact for 15 years of her life.

At Bryan’s Hammond Oliver Health Sciences Academy, Ulonda was a popular chemistry teacher and she would also be called on to teach microbiology, anatomy and physiology. She loved to support her students by attending their sporting events. For many years in town, her Hammond-Oliver students always greeted her warmly and remembered how she’d been a great influence on their studies and ultimate careers. Students appreciated her as mentor and friend long after their graduation.

Most important to her were her children, twin daughters Deborah and Jessica, son Paul and youngest daughter Laura. The time spent with her family gave her the greatest joy. She remained a great supporter of Texas A&M Athletics, including men’s and women’s basketball, and football and enjoyed attending all the games she could.

Reading, especially science fiction was another hobby she enjoyed, and membership in her local book club was a source of joy. Favorite authors included J. K. Rowling and Diana Gabaldon. Music and dancing were two other sources of entertainment that brought her joy. Ulonda’s spirit of fun and adventure powered everything she did and inspired many around her to enjoy every moment.

Family time including regular game nights and holiday gatherings brought happiness. Of all the titles she had, she cherished “Mother” the most. She was “Grandma” to 3-year-old granddaughter, Peyton, and 1-year-old grandson, Beckett, and “Granny” to older grandson Austin Stowe. Family always came first with Ulonda. In her final year of life she bravely battled cancer and she modeled faith to all who knew her.

Ulonda was preceded in death by her parents, and her youngest sister, Sherri. She is survived by her children: twin daughters Deborah Rogers of Kingwood, TX, and Jessica Rogers of Bryan, TX, son Paul Rogers (Hilary) of Garland, TX, and Laura Rogers of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Austin Stowe, Peyton Rogers, and Beckett Rogers; sisters Angela Abbott (Bill) of Katy, TX, Kim Wadsack (Kirk) of Winfield, IL, aunts Linda Brown of Honey Grove, TX, Rita Mann (Cardell) of Honey Grove, TX; nieces, Christin Abbott, Karis Jones (Nate); nephews, Danny Abbott (Abigail), Dillon Wadsack (Lila) and Josiah Wadsack.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Carter Creek Parkway, Bryan, Texas, 77802 (www.fpcbryan.org). Express condolences at CallawayJones.com

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